India-Australia to set up panel for science

New Delhi, Feb 9 (UNI) India and Australia have agreed to set-up a joint working group (JWG) to create a roadmap for strengthening bilateral cooperation in science and technology in the next six months.

Twently one projects are already functioning under the India-Australia strategic research fund.

Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal and Australian Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr have agreed to step up scientific cooperation between the two countries, an official announcement said here today.

First Indian Minister to visit Australia under new labour government of Kevin Rudd, Mr Sibal and Mr Carr also agreed to strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation focussing on industrial research and development and high technology areas such as nano-composites, bio-energy, health and agricultural bio-technology, climate change and renewable energy, particularly photo-voltaic technology.

Mr Sibal also met Minister for Climate Change and Water Ms Penny Wong.

Besides visiting three Australian universities, Mr Sibal addressed Australia-India business council at Sydney, and invited the Australian Industry to jointly work with Indians for accessing global market for production of world class products at affordable prices using complimentary strengths in two countries,the statement added.

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